Pacific Division Roundup: Knecht’s Market Dips, Booker Embraces Spotlight, Williams Tagged as High-Risk Bet, Schröder Pressed to Lead Defense
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LOS ANGELES — One year after bursting onto the scene, Lakers forward Dalton Knecht is being viewed around the league as a far less valuable trade asset than when Los Angeles selected him 17th overall in 2024.
Knecht’s stock slides
The 24-year-old averaged 12.2 points while shooting 43.9% from three in his first 19 NBA games, but closed his rookie season at 8.1 points per night and 34.8% accuracy from deep while battling defensive issues. A difficult Summer League — 32.1% from the floor and 23.7% beyond the arc — further cooled interest, according to opposing scouts and executives.
League sources say the Lakers, who considered including Knecht in February talks for center Mark Williams, would now struggle to recoup value equal to last year’s No. 17 pick. Executives estimate his current worth at multiple second-round selections, or possibly just one.
Knecht is entering the second season of a four-year rookie-scale contract. Head coach JJ Redick remains upbeat: “I’m very confident (that) when he’s confident, he’s a high-level offensive player in the NBA,” Redick said. “It’s the other stuff … finding that consistency in his defense, being the low man, boxing out, crashing every time or sprinting back and actually talking in transition. When he’s doing those things, he’s an impact player.”
Booker accepts bigger role in Phoenix
With Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal gone, three-time All-Star Devin Booker acknowledged increased responsibility as the Suns’ primary face on and off the floor. “I think it’s a big responsibility for me to be a leader and getting everybody on the same page so we can start this thing off the right way,” he told The Arizona Republic ahead of the club’s preseason trip to China.
Suns gamble on Mark Williams
Phoenix’s acquisition of center Mark Williams, entering a potential contract year after injury-marred stints with Charlotte, is viewed internally as a high-risk, high-reward swing. Former Hornets assistant Tyrone Corbin believes the 7-footer could “be one of the better rim protectors in the game” if he improves his screen-setting speed and hard rolls. “He has the potential to be a pretty good starter and a reliable guy in the lane,” Corbin added.
Schröder tasked with defensive spark in Sacramento
The Kings signed 32-year-old Dennis Schröder to steady the offense, but head coach Doug Christie wants the veteran point guard to apply full-court pressure as well. Christie has emphasized that Schröder’s on-ball tenacity should set a defensive tone for a club seeking postseason consistency.
Source: Hoops Rumors
